We met with Management for the second time  on Wednesday, April 14. We started with a discussion seeking clarity and understanding around the recently announced LTCC layoffs. See LTCC update below. In addition, management passed its first proposal, which seeks to reorganize the Northwest contract so that it more closely tracks Montlake’s.

We proposed some of our most critical priorities this session:

Workplace Violence and Safety

Our 1st proposal on workplace violence includes:

• Creating a separate Workplace Violence Prevention committee for each campus.
• Expanding the number of WSNA members on the committee.

Our team members shared several explicit stories highlighting where and how violence can happen so suddenly at the Hospital. Management said they share our goal of trying to rid the hospital of violent incidents. Remind management that our team is not alone in experiencing or witnessing WPV, share your WPV Story:

Break Relief

We agree that the break buddy system cannot be the primary method of providing break relief and should only be used as a last resource. Our team proposed new break relief language encompassing a break relief assignment around 4-hour increments into the staffing matrix for each unit.

This is where you come in: make sure that you file an Assignment Despite Objection form (ADO) every single time you use a break buddy. If you are intimidated for or retaliated against for filing an ADO, let Nurse Representative Stephenie Troftgruben at stroftgruben@wsna.org.

We can’t do it without all of you. Each of us can do three simple things to secure a strong contract.

1. Come observe negotiations!
   
   Thank you to those who came today! We're inviting observers to come and see the negotiations process for themselves! The next session will be at the E-Wing auditorium on the Northwest Campus this Thursday April 17. 
   
   Observers should arrive at 9:00am. We encourage observers to sign up here so we can keep track of how many people plan on attending, but you are not required to sign up to observe. If you plan on observing, please make sure to read through this document so you know what to expect. For any questions about observing negotiations, reach out to WSNA Organizer Zach at 206-406-7203 or zseikel@wsna.org. 
   
2. Stay in the loop!
   
   Make sure you've joined our private Facebook group @uwnorthwestrns
   (ask your unit rep to add you if  you're not already on it). As we continue negotiations, it's crucial to read the email updates and stay informed about what's happening at the table. WSNA UWNW Instagram launching on Friday! 👀
   
3. Come in person to our 1st union power hour 
   
   We’ll be at the Starbucks at the main campus on Wednesday April 16 from 06:30-9:30 am and 6:30-9:30 pm for our first Union Power Hour! (formerly sip n’ chats) This is a great way to get a better understanding of what exactly is happening at the bargaining table and how it affects you. Grab your “I support my bargaining team” buttons to wear during negotiation days, union swag, and get answers to any questions.

Upcoming Negotiation Dates: 

• April 17 At NW Campus
• April 23 **
• April 25 **
• May 12 **
• May 15 **
• May 22 **
• June 3 **
• June 17 **

** Planned Joint Session with UW Montlake

LTCC Layoffs Update:

We heard last Friday 4/12 that layoffs were happening in the LTCC. In a discussion with management today, they made it clear they are open to all options for non-probationary staff. This is very time sensitive; management told us they want to know what options RNs are considering by April 16. Management told us they are sending out a communication to clarify the current situation. If you are a probationary LTCC RN share what outcome you would like and get in touch with our LTCC bargaining team member Celis at celizserrano@gmail.com

We want to make sure the Employer follows the contract.  Article 6.5 Prior to Layoffs says:

Questions? You can contact WSNA Nurse Representative Stephenie Troftgruben at stroftgruben@wsna.org or WSNA Organizer Zach Seikel at zseikel@wsna.org